Okay.
Perk is too specifically valuable to this team to trade. If we trade him we only get $4 million of salary back, and what players earn 4 mil per year that are worth trading Perk that a team would actually give up? None.
Same for Rondo. We could only trade him for other rookie scale players, and what rookie scale PG's would we want that another team would get rid of? None.
Can't trade KG as (when healthy) he anchors our defense and is too versatile.
Pierce has earned the right to retire as a Celtic and has a very long contract.
Thus the only tradeable starter is Ray.
What does Ray bring to the table?
1. 18 million contract that expires in '10.
2. Scoring
3. 3 point shooting.
So let's see, the worst 10 teams in the league in shooting the long ball are:
G.S.
Milwaukee
Dallas
Utah
Minny
Memphis
Sac
LAC
Washington
Philly
G.S.
Ray for Crawford, Maggette, Wright (delayed until crawford can be packaged with other players)
Why:
Boston gets downgrade at the 2 to replace Ray, but gets scoring off the bench in Crawford and some supreme athleticism in Wright
G.S. improves their deep shooting, gets out of Maggette's contract (buyer's remorse has set in there) and Crawford's contract, and Nellie doesn't like Wright that much even though whenever he's in he produces and is still very young.
Other deals can be made by swapping in Ellis (if healthy) for one of the above guards, all assuming of course that the grand G.S. prize, Biedrins, is off limits as the team's only center.
Milwaukee
Don't see a fit as Ray is redundant with Redd a straight swap would be weird.
Dallas
Ray for Josh Howard and Jason Terry
Why:
Boston gets a versatile wing man and bench scoring.
Dallas improves it's outside shooting opening it up for Dirk and they get behind the idea of their own Big 3 and feeding Ray with Kidd's drive and dishes.
Utah
Hard to think of while Boozer is injured and has said he's opting out. If he were to sign an extension as part of the deal and was healthy, Ray for Boozer, Brewer, and Harpring would be something to ponder.
Minnesota
Not a good match as their biggest contract is Al, who is their future, and involving Miller (their resident 3 pt. threat) for Ray doesn't make too much sense, especially for a young team.
Memphis
Another bad match. They're shredding money and their only enticing Ray-replacers are young with big upside. They are not moving Gay or Mayo for Ray.
Sacramento
Yet another tough match. Kenny Thomas? Yuck. Brad would help this team, but not at the expense of Ray. Martin they are not moving. Ray for Brad and Salmons just doesn't do it.
Clippers
Total Disarray. But they do need a real 2 and outside shooting.
Ray for Camby, Gordon, Ricky D (salary filler)?
The Clips have too many players up front, and need a real shooting 2 and Ray may help the team keep Baron happy and motivated. Camby would upgrade the size/length/athleticism; would that be enough to counter the dropoff from Ray's void?
Ray for Camby and Baron.
This gives the Clips a way out of their Buyer's Remorse and the horrendous clash between Dunleavy and Baron. Baron is nothing if not motivated by playing on a good team. He could play a little off the ball for the C's as he's probably strong enough to play most 2 guards defensively, and as history has shown, when motivated (and how would he not be motivated playing with Pierce and KG), Baron is one of the top players in the league. Rondo-Baron-Pierce-KG-Camby or Baron-TA-Pierce-KG-Camby with Rondo-Powe-Perk off the bench...both are formidable.
Washington
Tough match for a trade
Philadelphia
Ray for Iguodala and Dalembert
Why:
Philly is committed to Brand, and they need outside shooting to transition to Brand's post game style of play.
Boston gets a young athletic wing defender/finisher and some serious length/athleticism.